Ship project history: Project
was developed by Orlando in 1915 on basis of earlier
destroyer Audace. From Indomito class these ships differed hardly in larger
dimensions, stretched forecastle and two funnels instead of three. 18000hp
machinery has ensured a speed increment to 32kts. In the remaining they were close enough to last
"three-funnelers" of 3rd and 4th groups.

In the end of 1915 8 ships of
Palestro class were ordered, however because of the shortage of shipbuilding steel
and other strategic materials called by wartime building of four of them was
suspended for uncertain time. Remaining four for the same reasons were built slowly and
were commissioned only in the early twenties. As a whole Palestro
class ships were appeared more successful, than "three-funnelers".

In 1938
they were re-rated as torpedo boats. Shortly before the Second World War beginning
it was planned to strengthen AA armament, replacing one 102mm and both 76mm guns
by 4 20mm MGs, but these plans have not been realised.

Naval service: Palestro 22/9/1940 was sunk by ritish submarine Osiris W off Durazzo. Confienza 20/11/1940
was sunk as result of collision with auxiliary cruiser Capitano
A. Cecchi off Brindisi. San Martino9/9/1943
was captured by German troops at Piraeus, renamed TA18, then TA17, repeatedly damaged
and stricken 12/10/1944 and scuttled. Solferino 9/9/1943
was captured by German troops at Suda, renamed TA18, 19/10/1944 hard damaged by
gunfire of British destroyers Termagant and
Tuscan at island Skiathos, ran aground and was destroyed.